Family's terror over mistaken HMO gang attack

A father has told of his family's terror after their home was mistakenly attacked by a balaclava-wearing gang opposed to Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs).

Black graffiti reading: "No HMOs, No, No" was daubed over the house in Little Hulton, Salford, and a brick was smashed threw through their living room window on 13 October.

The family's two sons, aged four and two, were asleep upstairs at the time. Their father said: "We want to get out of here. It feels unsafe."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said there had been 25 attacks across Salford on houses thought to be HMOs since 5 October with most "racially or religiously motivated".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said there were fears the attacks on HMOs suspected of housing migrants had been fuelled by far-right influencers who had posted videos of the homes on social media.

Salford City Council's planning lead Mike McCusker said: "There's been a set-up that's led to this.

"Filming outside possible HMOs, coupled with the national rhetoric about that you see from far right political groups on a national level about HMO."

The LDRS said a flat housing a group of young Sudanese refugees who fled genocide has been attacked.

But others houses targeted have included homes of NHS nurses and care workers.

Cars and homes have been vandalised and a pig's severed head was left outside one home on 13 October.

On the same night, the father-of-two's home was bricked as he sat in his living room.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: "We've lived here for a year and had no issues, until now.

"The police say they're targeting HMOs, but this isn't a HMO.

"It's me and my wife, we have two small kids."

Ch Insp Lee Gridley, said: "This spate of offending is being treated with the seriousness it deserves.

"No one should be made to feel unsafe in their own home and it's not something that will be tolerated in Salford, or anywhere in Greater Manchester."

Two men, aged 39 and 46, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage over the attacks.

However police fear children are being used to carry out the attacks. A 13-year-old boy was arrested last week.

Det Ch Insp Helen Bagnall, said: "We believe this offending is linked to the criminal exploitation of children, with vulnerable young people being encouraged by others to commit acts of criminal damage on their behalf.

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